Deer Pond is the finest destination point and you may find that to be enough, don’t feel that the entire loop is the only way to go. 

Start you hike along an old woods road through an attractive Adirondack forest. The trail remains very flat for most of the route back to Deer Pond. Aside from some occasional rolling hills you can enjoy an easy hike for quite a while. As you near the pond a short climb will bring you to a shoulder of a small knoll before coming to a trail intersection with Lead Pond. For the best view of Deer Pond, follow the Lead Pond Trail for a bit to a rocky overlook. Finishing off the loop is also an option, but a good one. The loop will only add on a few extra miles opposed to just returning the way you came. The remaining part of the loop has a bit more elevation change. The end of the trail is along an old section of road which is again wide and flat. 

Trailhead Location: 

From the intersection of Route 30 and Route 3 in Tupper Lake follow Route 3/30 toward Saranac Lake. Continue for just over 5-miles to the trailhead on the left. 

Distance Round Trip:

7.3 Miles

Elevation Gain or Loss: 

200 feet to the height-of-land

Time Round Trip:  

Family with Young Kids:     4 to 5 hours

Experienced Hiker:         3 to 4 hours

Out of Shape Hiker:     4 to 5 hours